Chapter Twelve
The next few days were painful for Charity.
Knowing that Luca was so close was a sweet torture.
Even so, she knew that she must choose her moment to find Scarlet carefully.
She was afraid of going into town. Even more afraid of venturing anywhere near the Gypsy camp for fear of being seen.
And what excuse could she make to Mr Wells for sneaking out late at night?
The perfect opportunity presented itself when Maureen came to the farm one day. She told Charity that Eddie had asked if she would like to go with him and the children to the circus. He had kindly invited Charity too but she had declined as she couldn’t be seen by any of the circus folk.
‘It’s been years since I went to one,’ Maureen confided happily. ‘In fact, I was only a little girl.’
Charity smiled at her. Maureen was such a lovely person.
‘A night out will do you good.’ Charity said. ‘What were you thinking of wearing?’
Maureen looked bemused. ‘Wearing? Why, what’s wrong with what I have on?’
‘Absolutely nothing if you’re working,’ Charity told her tactfully.
‘But perhaps we could find you something a little more colourful for an evening out. And you could wear your hair loose too. I bet it’s really pretty when it isn’t tied back.
Come on, let’s go and look in Mary’s trunk. Eddie did tell you to help yourself.’
Maureen self-consciously touched the unbecoming bun on the back of her head. She couldn’t remember the last time she had worn her hair loose.
They sifted through the clothes in the trunk and eventually Charity lifted out a dress. ‘Look at this. It would be perfect for a night out at the circus.’ It was cream cotton sprigged with small blue forget-me-nots.
Maureen sighed. ‘Oh, I remember Mary wearing that.’ She looked sad.
‘What actually happened to her?’ Charity asked. She had never liked to ask Eddie.
‘She died when having their last child and the baby passed away as well. It was a little boy.’ Maureen shook her head as she remembered.
‘The last thing she said to me was, “Look after them for me, Maureen.” And I have tried to. But I can’t do as much as I’d like with Mother being so ill. Still, he has you now.’
‘Yes, but I won’t be here forever. Sadly, neither will your mother,’ Charity answered. ‘But now try this on. We can soon alter it if we need to. We can wash and iron it and freshen it up as well.’
Maureen slipped out of her drab outfit and into the dress. Charity turned her to look in the cheval mirror.
‘Just look at yourself. You’re beautiful. And the dress fits as if it was made for you.’
Maureen blushed. She’d never considered herself to be beautiful. But she had to admit she did look very different in the dress.
‘Right, that’s you all sorted,’ Charity said happily. But then a wave of nausea made her clap her hand across her mouth.
As she made a run for the door, Maureen frowned. It was beginning to look horribly like her suspicions might be correct.
The following night there was great excitement in the farmhouse. Charity was getting the children ready to go to the circus, Eddie was upstairs getting changed and Maureen was due to arrive any minute.
After a while, Eddie came down in a clean shirt and trousers. His hair was still wet and seeing how happy the children were, he smiled.
‘You look very smart,’ Charity commented.
Seconds later, the back door opened and Maureen appeared. Eddie and Charity gaped at her. She looked so different she was almost unrecognisable. The dress seemed to emphasise the colour of her eyes and her fair hair was loosely curled about her shoulders, making her appear much younger.
‘Why . . . you look grand,’ Eddie told her shyly and she blushed.
‘And so do you,’ she answered as the children ran to cuddle her.
‘Come along then, else you’ll miss the beginning,’ Charity told them.
Eddie smiled as he ushered the children towards the door and finally, Charity was alone.
She had told Eddie that she was going to go for a long walk.
But really she intended to head to the circus camp and wait for a moment when she could catch Scarlet alone.
And then . . . Her heart beat faster. Once Scarlet had told Luca where she was, he would come to her and they could begin their life together.
She waited for half an hour before taking up her shawl and leaving the farmhouse.
She remembered where the circus stayed each year and was sure she would have no trouble finding it.
It was next to a large wooded area where she could hide until it got dark.
All she would have to do was keep an eye out for Scarlet then.
By the time she came to the edge of the woodland the circus had begun.
She could hear the crowd inside laughing at the antics of the clown.
Her heart was racing as she peeped out from behind the shelter of a tree.
She had chosen to wear the drab clothes she wore for cleaning.
Her hair was pulled into the nape of her neck and tied with string.
If anyone noticed her they would think she was one of the village girls.
Eventually, the evening darkened as she kept a close eye out for Scarlet.
She was hoping for a glimpse of Luca as well but there had been no sign of him.
Finally, the circus came to an end. The crowd began to pour out of the big top and head for the fair.
And that was when she spotted her. Keeping to the shadows, she made her way towards her.
‘Psst . . . Scarlet!’
Scarlet looked around. As she spotted Charity hurrying towards her, she frowned.
‘Scarlet, you may have heard that I’ve run away?’
Scarlet nodded.
‘Good, then I wondered if you would pass on a message to Luca so he can find me. We did tell you that we wanted to be together.’
She withdrew a piece of paper from her pocket and pressed it into Scarlet’s hand. ‘Will you give him this for me? It has the address of where I am on it.’
She noticed that Scarlet didn’t look particularly happy to see her. In fact, she looked very ill at ease.
‘Is everything all right?’ Charity suddenly had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. ‘Is Luca well? Nothing has happened to him, has it?’
‘No, and yes I will pass the letter on,’ Scarlet said quietly as she slid the piece of paper into her pocket.
Charity went to hug her. They had always been friends, but for some reason Scarlet drew back.
‘You’d best be going,’ she advised uneasily, glancing around to make sure no one was watching them. ‘Some of your people could be here tonight. It wouldn’t do if you were to be seen.’
Charity nodded. She couldn’t understand why Scarlet was being so cold towards her. ‘Yes, you’re right. Just tell Luca to come for me as soon as he can, please.’
Scarlet rushed away without another word as Charity turned to make her way back to the farm. She hadn’t managed to see Luca, but still, once he had seen Scarlet he would know where she was. On this happier thought she hurried her steps.